Living costs in Seoul, South Korea
National benchmark · not city-specific
🇰🇷 Plan your fellowship stay in KRW and compare it in your preferred currency.
Seoul, South Korea
City photography pending — no substitute city image used.View 97 program listings for Seoul ↗Fellowship Directory count imported 2026-10-12; availability can change.
Monthly cost evidence
National student benchmark from Study in Korea. Housing guidance is dormitory-based and varies by occupancy and meal plan. “Other expenses” combine communication and health insurance, so those are not fully split across planner categories. Published total is reported separately from category ranges. Source period: Study in Korea (Korean government) living expenses page (checked 2026-10-12). Checked 2026-10-12.
Source monthly budget: ₩750,000 – ₩1,000,000. Source ↗ This may include a different basket; it is not the sum of the planner categories.
| Category | Monthly figure (KRW) | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ₩500,000 – ₩700,000Student housing; dormitory costs vary by occupancy and meal plan | Source ↗Study in Korea (Korean government) living expenses page (checked 2026-10-12) · checked 2026-10-12 |
| Food & daily needs | ₩200,000 – ₩300,000Food | Source ↗Study in Korea (Korean government) living expenses page (checked 2026-10-12) · checked 2026-10-12 |
| Transport | ₩50,000 – ₩100,000Transportation; Seoul pass mentioned as an example | Source ↗Study in Korea (Korean government) living expenses page (checked 2026-10-12) · checked 2026-10-12 |
| Utilities & phone | Research pending | A comparable sourced figure has not been added. |
| Personal & leisure | ₩100,000 – ₩200,000Partial: published “other expenses” bundle (mobile/internet and health insurance) — not split | Source ↗Study in Korea (Korean government) living expenses page (checked 2026-10-12) · checked 2026-10-12 |
| Health insurance | Research pending | A comparable sourced figure has not been added. |
Point estimates are single published allowances, not ranges. Minimums have no researched upper bound. National and regional benchmarks do not establish local prices. Partial categories need additional quotes.
Before accepting a fellowship in Seoul
This location is listed in The Fellowship Directory. Living-cost research has not been completed here. Enter your own quotes in local currency; no default city prices are supplied. Confirm the exact hospital/site, especially for broad or combined location labels.
Ask your host about accommodation eligibility, health coverage and visa requirements. Confirm whether your stipend is gross or net, when the first payment arrives, and which costs are paid directly. Budget separately for deposits, travel and one-off arrival costs.
Check local services and requirements
Official links and search starting points are labelled separately. Resource links do not substantiate a cost unless cited in the evidence table.
Housing
- Booking.com · Seoul ↗Short stays · select dates and check the exact location
- Airbnb · Seoul ↗Rooms & furnished stays · check lease terms and total price
- Find host or university housing guidance ↗Web search · results not vetted
- Find longer-term room rentals ↗Web search · results not vetted
Food & daily needs
- Find supermarkets & grocery prices ↗Web search · results not vetted
Transport
- Seoul Metropolitan Government · transport ↗Official website · check eligibility and current prices
- Find local operators & monthly passes ↗Web search · results not vetted
Utilities & phone
- Compare mobile & internet plans ↗Web search · results not vetted
- Check electricity & water costs ↗Web search · results not vetted
Personal & leisure
- Check activities & membership prices ↗Web search · results not vetted
Health insurance
- Study in Korea · insurance guidance ↗Official website · check eligibility and current prices
- Find visiting-fellow insurance guidance ↗Web search · results not vetted
Build your own budget
The planner supports six expense categories, stipend and funding gaps, arrival cash, saved budgets and city comparisons. Missing amounts must be entered before calculating a complete personal budget.
Plan your Seoul stay in any supported currency →